| The internet offers mixed reviews on many of | | | | will avoid a full blown breakout. Often, if |
| the dozens of cold sore medications on the | | | | caught at that stage, the blisters will |
| market today, ranging from statements like | | | | simply not develop. However, if I don't have |
| "my cold sore was gone in two hours" to "this | | | | any when the tingling begins, or I wake up to |
| stuff made it worse!" Some cold sore | | | | find that the blisters have already begun to |
| medications obviously have a better track | | | | form, the cold sore will generally run its |
| record than others, but it can be difficult | | | | course, lasting 9-10 days regardless of how |
| to find the perfect remedy for that annoying | | | | much I continue to apply. It really is |
| and embarrassing cold sore. The biggest | | | | important to apply Abreva immediately upon |
| factor that will contribute to the | | | | feeling any tingling or pain. Even an hour |
| effectiveness of your chosen cold sore remedy | | | | can make a big difference. |
| is noting the stage at which the cold sore | | | | |
| has developed when the first treatment is | | | | Zovirax (Aciclovir): |
| applied to the site. Any cold sore sufferer | | | | |
| knows that the best way to treat a cold sore | | | | Let me just say that I absolutely love |
| is to nip it in the bud as soon as possible. | | | | Zovirax and I regret all the years I suffered |
| Once blisters begin to form, you may be out | | | | with cold sores, spending hours researching |
| of luck if you are not using the right cold | | | | home remedies and over-the-counter products, |
| sore medication. I am a frequent cold sore | | | | when a simple call to the doctor for a |
| sufferer who has tried almost every home | | | | prescription was the answer. It is truly a |
| remedy and cold sore medication on the | | | | life-saver when it comes to cold sores. |
| market. In this article I am going to compare | | | | Whether it is applied at the first signs of a |
| two of the most popular cold sore | | | | cold sore or even after bumps and blisters |
| medications: Abreva, the only FDA approved | | | | have begun to form, it will zap my cold sore |
| over the counter medication and Zovirax, an | | | | in 24-48 hours. In addition, it does not "dry |
| FDA approved prescription medication. | | | | out" the cold sores which many medications |
| | | | do; shrinking the blisters, but leaving a |
| Abreva: | | | | very hard scab that cracks and bleeds. |
| | | | Zovirax also has something in it to relieve |
| Abreva can be purchased in almost any | | | | pain and itching. In most cases, if Zovirax |
| drug-store for $16-$20. Right off the bat, it | | | | is applied during the tingling stage the cold |
| is important to note that you won't get much | | | | sore does not develop (like Abreva). If it is |
| for what you pay. The medicine is in a tiny 2 | | | | applied after blisters have formed, it |
| gram (.07 ounce) tube that is barely an inch | | | | shrinks the blisters overnight and relieves |
| long. I have seen many good (and many bad) | | | | all the redness and irritation surrounding |
| reviews of Abreva, and my opinion falls | | | | the sore. I have never had a cold sore for |
| somewhere in-between. Healing a cold sore | | | | more than three days when using Zovirax. The |
| quickly with Abreva is hit-or-miss. I have | | | | one down-side to using this medication is the |
| learned that if I liberally apply Abreva | | | | cost. A 5 gram tube of Zovirax retails at |
| almost every hour as soon as I feel any | | | | about $120.00 and is subject to a higher |
| burning or tingling, it does help | | | | co-pay with insurance because there is no |
| tremendously and there is 90% chance that I | | | | generic equivalent available yet. |